Inventory in the Garden, Eden shows the carefree nature of God's creation before the fall, and yet we know the fall is coming for, as Adam is naming the animals, sin is already uncoiling itself from the branch of the tree above him. But what is this tree? This tree is the life-giving tree on which hangs the second Adam. For through the first Adam sin and death entered the world, so through the second Adam, Christ, all will be made alive again. (I Corinthians 15:21-22,45-49)  

 In the beginning God, having created a world that was good, knew that man would separate himself from God by sin. So even then He already had a plan through Christ on the cross to redeem us to Himself.  

 Genesis 2:15-25 

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 The story of Joseph centers around faithfulness to God regardless of the cost and faithfulness to God in every circumstance. Despite being treated unfairly and even sold as a slave by his own brothers, Joseph sought to do his best for God in every situation. Joseph knew that God was with him during each trial (Genesis 39:2,21) and allowed God to develop his abilities through faithful obedience. Joseph realized that a higher and much bigger purpose than his own immediate welfare was involved (Genesis 45: 5,7) and that his duty was to submit.  

 In the end, he proclaimed the overriding truth of his life to his brothers, saying, "you intended to harm me but God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:20)  

 Are we willing to submit as radically to G's plan as Joseph was, risking abuse and hardship in whatever form for God's higher purpose? Can we live "knowing that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose"? (Romans 8:28)  

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 Noah Building the Ark is two stories within one picture. First is the story of Noah and his family building the ark as God had commanded. The reason I have put the ark in a contemporary setting is that, as Noah made a choice to obey God then we, like Noah , must choose to obey God now building whatever 'ark' He is calling us to build. Will we, despite the possible mocking of neighbours and friends, carry out God's will in our lives?  

 The second story within the picture is about the small portion of a red and white sign in the right hand side of the painting. Many people immediately point to it and excitedly proclaim the name of a popular soft drink company.  

 This makes me think of Luke 12: 54-57. People are quick to interpret obbious signs, like the weather or, in this case, the portion of a large billboard. But how many are able to look at the entire picture and interpret this present time? How many are able to relate the lessons of Noah and his generation to our situation today?  

 Genesis 6, Luke 12:54-57 

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 Noah Checking for Rain speaks of how easily God's creatures trust His promise, the rainbow, yet man in his fallen state always doubts. Noah was a righteous man who obeyed God's call to build the ark and survived the ordeal of the flood. Yet when it is all over, he still has lingering doubts and so stands on the back deck, hand outstretched, checking for rain.  

 How many of us are like Noah? We live under God's promise and benefit from the wonders He works daily in our lives yet, in our hearts, there lurks a shadow of doubt. We still want to check just one more time to make sure for ourselves that the rain has re ally stopped, instead of looking up and seeing the rainbow.  

 Genesis 9:8-17 

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 Jonah is a story about having our will broken. By clinging to worthless idols, Jonah was forfeiting grace that could have been his. While he was running from God, God turned Jonah around and brought him back to Himself and into His will. In this picture Jonah is sinking to the very heart of the seas. Yet danger, represented by the sharks, Manta Rays and Moray eel, has passed. From the left, the mouth of a White shark, the largest fish, appears as part of God's plan to swallow Jonah and take him back to where God wanted him to be. "Salvation comes from the Lord".  

 Jonah 2:9 

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 I Bring You Good News shows a great company of heavenly hosts praising God over the birth of Jesus. The wisemen have arrived with their gifts and shepherds are there to adore Him. Anna and Simeon are also present, Simeon holding the sacrificial lamb and praising God that he has seen His salvation. Mary is holding a candle, the "light of revelation to the Gentiles" which will pierce her soul. (Luke 2:35) At the feet of the camels are the two young pigeons offered at the temple as a sacrifice, while at the left, the gate through which we may enter salvation stands open (John 10:9) leading to the three trees on the far hill.  

 Luke 2:8-40 

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 THE WISEMEN is a whimsical look at  three colourful characters who journeyed a long way to pay homage to a king from another culture and religion.

 Joseph and Mary's Flight into Egypt is a whimsical look at the holy family escaping Herod. After the visit of the Magi, an angel of the Load warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. Herod was afraid of this new king who was born and gave orders to kill all the boys two years and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem.  

 The white flag signifies Joseph's surrender to God's will in going to Egypt. The tools and food slung below the gondola remind us that even in doing God's special will we are still part of the material world and must work each day for our provision. The child Jesus is holding a shepherd's crook in anticipation of looking after us. His sheep, as the good shepherd. The woman figurehead at the bow of the little airship is Rachel "weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted." (Jeremiah 31:15)  

 Matthew 2:13-18 

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 The "Narrow and Wide Gates" is a painting about choices. In its composition it offers the viewer two alternatives: to the right is the narrow gate leading to life, to the left is the wide gate leading to destruction. Ultimately, these are the only two choices we have in life - to choose to enter the narrow gate that God opens for us, or by default to enter the wide gate offered by the world. God wants us to choose life, the narrow gate, by choosing Jesus and all He offers us as our Savior. For in choosing Him, we find the peace of God (Phil. 4:7), comfort in all of our troubles (2 Cor. 1:4) and everlasting life (John 6:47).

 I believe that God wants to work through you no matter who you are or what you do. If you are not a follower of Jesus, the first step is to become one by repenting of your sin and making Him Lord of your life. If you are a follower of Jesus perhaps you need to ask God to show you areas of your life that need to change so that He can work through you. If we are willing to let God transform and change our lives so that we become open to the prompting of the Spirit, then lives around us will begin to change too.

 This painting, with its undecided youth in the center foreground, is all about the choices we make and the consequences that follow. I pray you will be challenged to choose Jesus and life.

 (Matthew 7:13-14) 

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 The Road to Emmaus is a wonderful story of human emotion and spiritual awakening. As told in Luke 24:13-35, Cleopas and another disciple (I've portrayed her as his daughter) leave Jerusalem deflated and downcast after the "defeat" of Jesus and his death by crucifixion. With their eyes seemingly blind to the identity of the stranger who overtakes them on the road back to Emmaus, they share with some irritation the reasons for their discouragement (vs. 19-24). Still unaware of who he is, this stranger explains to Cleopas and his daughter, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, the reasons why the Christ had to die (vs. 25-27). As they describe it later, they found their hearts burning within as He taught them.

 Soon they come to Emmaus. The "stranger" makes to continue on but they compel him to enter their house for food and rest. He does and sitting down takes the bread, offers thanks, breaks it and gives it to them-the actions of a host, not a guest. Suddenly their eyes are opened to the stranger. He is their Lord! Jesus then disappears from their sight and they in turn, get up and run all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples gathered there what happened and that they were with the risen Lord (vs. 28-35).

 Do we ever find ourselves discouraged and walking away from a place we went to with expectation, hoping to find new life and victory? From a place where we longed to see our dreams come to fruition, only to be let down in yet another of life's disappointments? But on our retreat back to hide once again in the comfortable and familiar ways we knew before, Jesus comes alongside us. If we listen, He tells us of the Father's faithfulness to His people through all time. If we let him enter our inner place as host, not guest-for this is the only true relationship we can have with Jesus-he will break bread for us there and feed us. As our eyes are opened to the reality of his presence, we will feel our hearts burning within us, realizing His promises for our life are coming true and that Jesus has overcome death and we can testify with joy that we have seen the risen Lord.   

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 Peter's Vision is God's creation reveling in His glory. There are animals, large and small, not minding the indignity of being suspended helplessly between earth and sky as they take part in preparing Peter, and all of us, to take the Gospel to all people and every corner of the earth.  

 Acts 10 

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